Norwegian Mangle Board with Horse Handle and Chip Carving – Inscribed 1805

A long Norwegian mangle board with a horse-shaped handle and a series of chip-carved rosettes. The date 1805 is carved beside the handle. The inscription is visible on the object, but does not by itself establish when the board was made.

Mangle boards were used with a separate wooden roller to smooth textiles. This example retains traces of old dark and red paint, while the pronounced wear reflects its character as an older household object. Its maker and specific geographical origin are undocumented.

Specifications:
- Material: Wood with traces of old dark and red paint
- Decoration: Horse-shaped handle, rosettes and chip carving
- Markings: Carved date 1805
- Dating: The date of manufacture is not securely documented
- Measurements: Length 83.5 cm, width 12.5 cm, height 14 cm
- Condition: Pronounced wear from age and use, especially to the horse handle and front, with small nicks, marks and paint wear. Any earlier restoration is undocumented. Please see the photographs for details.